VanHyfte selects SIUSalukis

Celina VanHyfte knew she wanted to be an NCAA Division I athlete in the Missouri Valley Conference.The school and the sport? Now those decisions were a little more difficult.Basketball at Southern Illinois University won out over softball at Illinois State University as the Annawan senior all-stater gave her verbal commitment to the Salukis last month.

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By Mike Landis

Star Courier - Kewanee, IL

By Mike Landis

Posted Aug. 21, 2013 at 2:03 PM

By Mike Landis

Posted Aug. 21, 2013 at 2:03 PM

ANNAWAN

Celina VanHyfte knew she wanted to be an NCAA Division I athlete in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The school and the sport? Now those decisions were a little more difficult.

Basketball at Southern Illinois University won out over softball at Illinois State University as the Annawan senior all-stater gave her verbal commitment to the Salukis last month.

"It was the biggest and hardest decision I've ever had to make. I truly went with my heart and the desire to play basketball over softball in college," said VanHyfte.

She took an unofficial visit in June to SIU, and gave her verbal commitment to head coach Cindy Stein in July.

"I was very impressed with Coach Stein, her entire staff and their vision for the future of SIU women's basketball." VanHyfte said. "It came down to playing basketball at SIU or softball at Illinois State. Both schools have amazing coaching staffs and programs.”

VanHyfte will sign her National Letter of Intent during the early signing period in November. She also considered the University of Wisconsin for softball and Bradley University for basketball.

She said SIU — where she plans to major in pre-veterinary medicine — was a perfect fit both academically and athletically.

“Playing in the Missouri Valley was a goal of mine and I'm thankful for this opportunity to compete against some of the best teams and players in the nation,” VanHyfte said. “My family will be able to come to a lot of games and that also means a lot to me.

Both of her parents were Division I athletes — Ted played football at Wake Forest and Val played basketball at Bradley.

“Playing D1 basketball and following in my mother’s footsteps has always been a dream for me,” she said. “I’m thankful to receive a full scholarship and excited about playing at the highest level of college sports. I’m going into college with a lot of respect for my teammates and coaches.”

“They have always supported me and I know it’s hard with a big family like ours,” added Celina of her parents. “My parents have given me the tools and resources to be successful. It’s an honor to become a D1 player like my parents. My parents are both very humble about their success and I try to be the same.”

And now that her collegiate plans are set, VanHyfte has some unfinished business entering her senior basketball season at Annawan. As a three-year starter for the Bravettes with a record of 82-11, 1,849 points, 895 rebounds, three regional titles, two sectional titles and a Class 1A third-place trophy, VanHyfte hopes to close her high school career with the biggest prize.

Page 2 of 2 - “I want to win and enjoy my last high school season with my sister Morgan and fellow teammates. I want to have my best personal season along with our very best team accomplishments,” she said. “We have been very successful, but I know our entire team wants to win the State Farm Tournament, the LTC title and get back to state — this time in the championship game and win it all. What a dream come true that would be.”